Victor Chang

Victor Chang
Born	Victor Peter Chang Yam Him 21 November 1936 Shanghai, China
Died	4 July 1991 Mosman, Sydney, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Occupation	Cardiothoracic surgeon
Known for	Heart transplantation

Victor Peter Chang Yam Him (21 November 1936 – 4 July 1991) was a pioneering cardiothoracic surgeon and a leading figure in heart transplantation in Australia. He is remembered for his significant contributions to medicine and his role in advancing cardiac surgery.

Early Life and Education

Victor Chang was born in Shanghai, China, to Australian-born Chinese parents. He moved to Hong Kong at a young age and later attended St. Paul's College. In 1953, he moved to Australia to complete his secondary education at Christian Brothers' High School in Sydney.

Chang pursued a medical degree at the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1962. He then undertook further training in the United Kingdom and the United States, specializing in cardiothoracic surgery.

Career

Victor Chang returned to Australia in 1972 and joined the St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. He quickly became a leading figure in the field of cardiac surgery, particularly in heart transplantation. In 1984, he established the National Heart Transplant Program at St Vincent's Hospital, which became one of the most successful heart transplant units in the world.

Chang was instrumental in developing low-cost artificial heart valves and was involved in pioneering work on immunosuppressive drugs to prevent organ rejection. His work significantly improved the success rates of heart transplants and made the procedure more accessible.

Death

Victor Chang's life was tragically cut short on 4 July 1991 when he was murdered during an attempted extortion. His death was a significant loss to the medical community and led to widespread mourning in Australia and beyond.

Legacy

Victor Chang's legacy continues through the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, established in his honor in 1994. The institute is dedicated to research into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease. Chang's contributions to cardiac surgery and heart transplantation have saved countless lives and continue to influence the field of medicine.

See Also

• Heart transplantation
• Cardiac surgery
• St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney
• Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute